La Salle adds parking spaces

By Benjamin Circelli
Collegian Reporter
September 13, 2006

Finding the perfect parking spot on campus is near the top of every La Salle commuter student’s wish list. When a spot can’t be found, parking turns into an issue for most.

“Parking is always an issue. Everyone would like to have more,” said Art Grover, director of security and safety at La Salle.

In order to satisfy the need for parking spaces this year, the Security and Safety team has made arrangements to benefit La Salle, particularly for the students attending classes during the evening hours.

An agreement was developed with Central High School, across from the Manor, allowing students to park there in the evening. From the hours of 5 to 10:45 p.m. only, 250 extra spots are available in the Central High School parking lot.

“Having this extra lot helps to take pressure off other resources,” said John Gallagher, assistant director of security and safety.

However, students who use these spaces must own a parking permit issued by La Salle, and are not allowed to park there before 5 p.m.

However, students who use these spaces must own a parking permit issued by La Salle, and are not allowed to park there before 5 p.m.

Good Shepherd is still available to all students, parking permit or not, until ground is broken on the new shopping center.

When this does occur, Germantown Hospital has offered to help La Salle by letting students use its parking lot.

“We’re planning on 485 spots being removed when the construction begins in Good Shepherd,” Gallagher said.

Before the spots will be made available to students, La Salle will be making some changes to the Germantown lot.

Also new this year, resident freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus, alleviating some of the parking issues. Even commuting freshmen have been relegated to the Good Shepherd lot only.

Mario Corrado, a senior commuter, hasn’t had a problem yet this year with parking. “I always find a decent parking spot close to north campus,” he said. “It might take a few minutes, but I always manage to get one.”

Theodore Jabara, on the other hand, has not had the same luck. Also a senior commuter, he finds it hard to locate decent spots around campus.

“I bought a parking permit at the beginning of the year, but I usually end up parking on Chew Street or other places that aren’t owned by La Salle,” he said. “I wouldn’t have bought a permit in the first place if I would have known that spots were this scarce.”

Ultimately, La Salle is trying to resolve the parking issue by making arrangements to increase the parking facilities. “The parking situation has progressed and will continue to do so,” said Grover. “We use what we have in the most economical ways possible, and are always looking to increase space so that parking becomes a non-issue.”

circellib1@lasalle.edu